As the 47th edition of the biannual WorldSkills 2024 gets underway, the 60-member young contingent of WorldSkills India Team landed in Lyon, France, today all charged up and ready to compete in the largest international skilling competition.
At WorldSkills 2024 in Lyon today, Saturday, September 7, meticulous competition preparation took place, following the guidelines set out in the skill management plan. Experts from various skills fully engaged in setting up workstations, finalizing tools and equipment, and aligning technical specifications to ensure a fair and standardized competition environment.
Each skill category saw experts conducting detailed checks on safety protocols, competition tasks, and assessment criteria, ensuring everything was in place for smooth execution. This phase was critical for guaranteeing that participants from across the globe compete on a level playing field, adhering to WorldSkills’ high standards of excellence and integrity.
At WorldSkills 2024 in Lyon, the Competition Committee Delegates (CCDs) also played a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of the event by meticulously cross-checking rules and resolving any potential issues or disputes. These delegates are responsible for maintaining the integrity of the competition by overseeing that all regulations are adhered to, managing conflicts, and addressing any discrepancies that arise during the competition process. India, acting as the CCD for Turning and Milling, took on a pivotal role in these precision-based skill categories. The Indian delegation ensured that all technical aspects related to Turning and Milling, such as machine calibration, tool setups, and task alignment, were conducted according to the WorldSkills standards.
These skilled individuals will compete across 52 skill categories for India against the best from over 70 countries. The international competition is set to commence from September 10-15, 2024, at Euroexpo Lyon France, which will witness over 1,400 competitors and 1,300 experts. This grand event, often considered the Olympic Games of skilling, is expected to attract over 2.5 lakh participants.
Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and Minister of State, Ministry of Education, Government of India, will be visiting the International Competition to cheer for Team India. During his visit, he will also meet with representatives from partner countries to further the dialogue on skills at a global level.
Over 52 WorldSkills experts and training support from 100+ industry and academic partners have been involved in training and preparing the India Contingent, one of the largest groups representing their country at WorldSkills Lyon.
The competitors underwent rigorous training programs supported by leading companies like Toyota Kirloskar, Maruti, Lincoln Electric, and many others, with further training enriched by the expertise of various industry leaders and institutions from across the country—from Festo India in Industry 4.0 to NIFT Delhi in Fashion Technology, and L&T in Bricklaying and Concrete Construction.
This year’s team also represents a breakthrough moment, with women competing in traditionally male-dominated fields like Welding, Plumbing, and Heating. The team reflects the incredible diversity of India, with participants from every region, including the farthest corners—from Mizoram to Jammu and Kashmir, from North to South, East to West, and even the island territories of Andaman and Nicobar.
The WorldSkills Competition showcases excellence in skills across various sectors, including construction, manufacturing, information technology, and creative arts. Competitors, typically under the age of 23, engage in rigorous testing, completing tasks that reflect contemporary industry standards. For the first time, international trainers were invited to the country and competitors were also sent to countries like South Korea, Japan, Austria, Thailand, and Dubai, with Switzerland for international exposure and rigorous training.
The India contingent undertook the last leg of training which included yoga sessions, psychological tests to improve mental strength, nutritional advice and various other guidance in New Delhi between September 1-3, 2024.
